Practical Gemmology
Robert Webster's Practical Gemmology was first published in 1943. It was regarded as one of the primary readings in gemological education in the UK. The 6th and the last edition, was published in 1976. Naturally…
Book ReviewFlux Ruby Levels
Flux residue in ruby started to show up in the early to mid 1990s. The residue occurs when ruby, mostly from the Mong Hsu deposit in Burma, is heated to extreme temperatures. To protect the…
Gem NotesDiamond Issues: Supply, Synthetics, Conflict, Certs
In Las Vegas everything is supposed to be big, bright, and shiny so it may seem like an odd backdrop for serious discussions about tough issues that put the diamond industry's "shine" on the line…
Featured ArticlesThe Diamond Industry and the Future
Gem quality natural diamonds are noticeably scarce in the market and seem to be getting scarcer. As a result, prices for the most part, are on an upward trajectory. Short term volatility with long term…
Featured ArticlesColored Stone Market
Buyers at JCK focus on specific products and price points. Colored stone business concentrated at high and low end with the middle soft. Colored stone confidence may be gaining with slightly improved sales. Corundum and…
Colored Stone MarketMarket Trends: Padparadscha
Padparadscha sapphire is one of the rarest of all corundum varieties. The delicate pinkish orange color ”what Richard Hughes refers to as a marriage of ruby and yellow sapphire” is a true connoisseur's gem. Initially…
Market TrendsTanzanite: Gemstone of Our Generation
It's been 45 years since tanzanite was found in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Unlike other precious gems such as emerald, ruby and sapphire that boast centuries-long histories, tanzanite is the gemstone of…
Gem Market NewsMalawi Sapphires: Sustainable Production, Range of Color, and Even Some Padparadscha
With demand for sapphires strong worldwide and increasing prices for many varieties, the supply of affordable and beautiful stones from southeastern Africa has been a welcome addition. The range of colors is vast—from blue to…
Gem Market NewsDiamond Market
It is definitely strange times for the diamond markets now. We are in one of those "depends on who you talk to" phases when it comes to diamond prices and predictions. Markets are slow and…
Diamond MarketBook Review: Diamond Math, Second Edition
Reviewed by Richard B. Drucker, GG (GIA) Octahedral Crystal. Another section covers how to estimate the weight of drill holes. Should you ever encounter a drilled diamond bead that is strung, you can estimate the weight…
Book Review